3N14 - Coxey Road Highlights

At 19 miles long, this dirt road takes you from Fawnskin to Hesperia and is a popular dirt route up the north side of the mountain range. Along the route, there are many trails splitting off such as 3N93 (Holcomb Creek) and 3N16. While traveling on 3N14 on the south side, there are several shooting areas and campgrounds. Please plan accordingly when traveling this area because it can get very hot on the low side in the Summer and still be snow on the ground once you reach high elevation.

Technical rating: (2) Easy

Dirt road. Dry, or less than 3" water crossing depth. Some ruts. Slight grades, up to 10 degrees. 2WD under most conditions. Rain or snow may make 4WD necessary. Usually one and a half to two vehicles wide.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead GPS Coordinates:

Topo Maps:

GPS Exchange File:

Route Description

At the second most traveled dirt road in the area. 3N14 is a common byway to get into the Holcomb Valley area. Besides being a connector, this trail will also take you down the mountain heading north, dropping you halfway between Hesperia and Lucerne near Deep Creek. On the lower half of the route expect a rutted road, while on the upper half, expect mud and snow in the winter.

1:
South End Staging Point
(0.0mi)

This open parking lot in front of the firehouse is the perfect spot to air down and disconnect your sway bars. Plus across the street is a convenience store and restaurant if you are hungry or need snacks for the trail. The trail head is the road that passes in front of the fire department heading North. The dirt road is about 1/4 mile up the hill from this spot.

If you towed up the mountain, you can ask the fire department if it would be okay to leave your trailer here. They usually don't mind.

2:
Begining of 3N14
(0.0mi)

This is where the asphalt turns to dirt. Be warned, there is lots of traffic on this end of the road.

14:
Big Pine Flats Campground
(6.4mi)

Just past the 3N16 intersection is Big Pine Flats Campground. This campsite is probably the most remote improved campsite in the mountains. The campsites are first come first serve. There is a camp host there that will collect your money and sell you additional firewood if you need any.

This campsite is closed during the winter.

15:
Stay North at 3N41 Cut-Off
(9.8mi)

3N41 splits off the trail here to the west. Stay North / East to stay on 3N14. (Trail is closed)

16:
Say West at 4N16 Cut-Off
(11.8mi)

4N16 splits off the trail here. If you are wanting to get to the west most end of White Mountain - 3N17 (Trail Rating 4-6) take this trail to the north east.

Camping and Lodging

The San Bernardino National Forest is a nearby oasis for millions of Southern Californians who want to escape for the weekend and go camping. The higher elevations of the forest mean that the summertime temperatures are cooler than the valleys below. And as an added bonus most campgrounds have shaded sites and some are near streams or lakes. Many campgrounds are adjacent to beautiful natural areas and you can find solitude on quiet wilderness trails. Some campgrounds are reserved campsites, and on weekends or holidays, we definitely recommend making a reservation. To do this, visitors can go online to www.recreation.gov or call toll-free 1-877-444-6777. Most campgrounds can accommodate both tent campers and RV's. All campgrounds have picnic tables and restroom facilities, and some even have showers and other amenities. Most campsites accommodate up to 6 people and 2 tents. There may be an additional cost for more than one vehicle. The Forest Service describes camping as either "developed" (usually accessible by road and including facilities like picnic tables, restrooms and fire rings) or "undeveloped/dispersed" (remote areas accessible only by dirt roads or trails, no facilities). During winter months, some locations may be inaccessible due to snow or closed, check with the local Ranger Station for updated conditions. More info can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/sbnf/recreation/camping-cabins

You are allowed to do dispersed camping with no fires of any kind along the trails. Most people choose to use a campsite so they can enjoy a warming firing and cook their food.

Josh Noesser

Joshua Noesser grew up in Southern California but has lived in different parts of the country during his young adult life. Josh was first turned to...

Questions & Answers

Hey Ricky, I believe you can have dirt bikes on this trail. I have seen them more then once and there is a dedicated dirt bike path that connects to the trail. But I would call the Discovery Center to confirm. Info is above.

I think you are good to go. I have seen some photos from the higher points on 3N14 with no snow. You can see the ski resorts are down to the dirt. http://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/summer/mountain-information/mountain-info/web-cams
We will likely be up there this weekend running some of the trails in the area.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on April 20, 2017

The trail is open all the way through. Last I heard there isn't much snow up there.

By Josh Noesser Official Crew on April 20, 2017

Thanks for the quick answer. Just want to make sure my TRD 2-wheel drive will make it. Love the site man.

By Cai on April 20, 2017

Trip Reports

Offroaded on
02-17-2018

Status:
Open

Conditions:
Dry

Low Temperature:
55° F

High Temperature:
68° F

Drove the route from from Big Bear Lake (Fawnskin) to Hesperia via Coxey Truck Trail (3N14) and Bowen Ranch Road. The entire route took an hour, but in dry conditions. Unfortunately, there was no snow or anything exciting to report. In these conditions, it's an easy route on a fairly well maintained road.

Offroaded on
10-08-2017

Official Crew

Offroaded on
09-14-2017

Status:
Open

Conditions:
Dry

Low Temperature:
75° F

High Temperature:
90° F

Traveled all the way up from Apple Valley to Fawnskin. No problems.
The road was clear all the way. Took my 17' travel trailer up to Big Pines Flat Campground and stayed four nights. Weather was perfect, warm but not hot during the days, and cool at night with temperatures dipping down to the high 30's overnight. Campground will close on October 15, so, if you plan to go, go now.

Official Crew

Offroaded on
01-22-2017

Status:
Open

Conditions:
Snow

Low Temperature:
26° F

High Temperature:
28° F

Another great off-road trip up 3N14. We had to put the Jeeps 4x4 to the test with this one. Even though the snow turned us around, we had a great time. We made it to Big Pine Flats were we then headed towards Holcomb Valley. About 3/4 of the way there the snow went from 1-2 feet deep to 4 feet deep and icy.

We all got stuck at one point making a blast. After getting turned around we headed back down the mountain for a enjoyable drive home. Can't wait to do it again.

Official Crew

Offroaded on
01-22-2017

Status:
Open

Conditions:
Snow

Low Temperature:
26° F

High Temperature:
28° F

Several of the trailsoffroad crew and others for a total of 16 rigs made the run from Hesperia. We all made it to Big Pine Campground. I chose to continue towards Fawnskin with my son in his JK, where the deep snow brought us to a halt on the upgrade between the PCT and Hanna Flats Campground. We made it back and caught up to the group on 3N16 Holcomb Valley because they also had been stopped by the snow. It was a beautiful snowy and rainy day and we all made it back to Hesperia and home.

Official Crew

Offroaded on
02-02-2016

Status:
Open

Conditions:
Icy

Low Temperature:
20° F

High Temperature:
39° F

Went up the mountains to do a little skiing to only find the conditions really bad. So I decided while I was up there I would take an easy drive up 3N14. To my surprise the trail was a large ice sheet and was a mess. Sucks to see the conditions so poor this year, I was hoping for a little fun in the snow.